Context and Rationale

The Government District Focus Area includes the area located between South McDowell Street, East Trade Street, Brevard Street and 3rd Street (see Figure 6.E.1). Dominated by large blocks and buildings and civic uses including City and County offices, the County courthouse and Sheriff’s office, the area no longer has the original street grid or urban fabric of the historic Second Ward.

Today, however, it does enjoy proximity to new investment and amenities, including the Blue and Gold Lines and new development along Stonewall Street. It is also adjacent to the former Brooklyn neighborhood which was razed during urban renewal in the mid-1960s. As plans evolve for a new, mixed-use Brooklyn Village, the Government District itself is ripe for change.

Government District is dominated by civic buildings and functions, lacking other uses like restaurants or shops nearby. Many properties do not generate tax revenue that supports City and County improvements. The area is not very pedestrian friendly, with large buildings and long blocks, and most street-level activity stops at 5pm. Infusing new life into this strategically-located neighborhood in the near-term can be accomplished with new uses, more active ground-floors, and improved connections that add energy to the area’s streets and sidewalks.

Over the next several years there is opportunity to consolidate civic operations into more dense buildings. This would allow the City and County to use or leverage publicly-owned land for neighborhood improvement, including affordable housing, and to increase the tax revenue generated by these properties. The City and County should continue collaborating to share facilities and coordinate development plans to ensure related uses (e.g., jail and courthouse) are located near each other.

Objectives

• Transform the Government District into a mixed-use neighborhood that is lively during the day and evenings

• Improve walkability by adding connections through the district to Brooklyn Village and Trade Street

• Take advantage of publicly owned land to create a dynamic, high density mixed-use neighborhood

• Improve existing parks and public spaces such as the Government Center plaza and the space in front of old city hall

Strategies and Recommendations

E-1. ADD CONNECTIONS BETWEEN BLOCKS AND DESTINATIONS TO INCREASE WALKABILITY AND CREATE A SAFE, COMFORTABLE PEDESTRIAN ENVIRONMENT

E1-1 Require new development to provide mid-block pedestrian and bicycle connections

E1-2 Re-establish north-south vehicle connections between MLK and Trade Streets where possible

E-2. ENSURE NEIGHBORHOOD LAND USE AND URBAN DESIGN SUPPORTS A MIXED-USE 18-HOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

E2-1 Create multiple activity nodes including pedestrian-oriented ground floor environments

E2-2 Install engaging art and consistent lighting throughout the district

E2-3 Identify and incentivize new land uses that complement nearby civic, hospitality and entertainment destinations

E2-4 Ensure design anticipates and respects adjacent development and change, including plans for the Brooklyn Village neighborhood and Marshall Park

E-3. ESTABLISH PARAMETERS AND CONDITIONS FOR REDEVELOPMENT OF MUNICIPALLY OWNED PARCELS ALONG TRADE STREET

E3-1 Establish land use and design expectations consistent with E-1 and E-2

E3-2 Increased density and improved streetscape design

E3-3 Substantial neighborhood investments including affordable housing and childcare facilities for government district workers

E3-4 Relocation and / or consolidation of civic uses into smaller footprints and mixed-use developments

E-4. ENGAGE IN A MASTER PLAN AND VISIONING PROCESS TO ESTABLISH A LARGER VISION FOR THE GOVERNMENT DISTRICT AND THE GREATER SECOND WARD

E4-1 Create a task force / subcommittee to establish a ward-wide land-use program

E4-2 Perform a feasibility study for major program recommendations

E4-3 Engage displaced Brooklyn Village residents and their families